Retarded action electric switch



Jan. l, 1946. c` E. PHILLlMoRE I RETARDED ACTION ELECTRIC SWITCH 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Nov. 2, 1942 INVENTUR CHAI- 1455 E FHLLIMURE AT TY Jan. 1, 1946 T c. E. PHILLIMORE 2,392,183l

RETARDED ACTION ELECTRIC T SWITCH Filed Nov. 2, 1942 2 SheetSSheer. 2

TTY.

| l 1 l l Patented Jan. l, 1946 'UNITED STAT ES PATENT OFFICE RETARDED ACTION ELECTRIC SWITCH Charles E. Phillimore, Chicago, Ill., assignor to ',The Bell .'& .Howell Company, Chicago, Ill.,a Acorporation of YIllinois Application November 2, 1.942, Serial No. 464,193

(Cl. 20D-97) 6 Claims.

.My invention. relatesto a retarded action electric switch which is particularly adapted foruse in jointly controlling a rmotion picture camera and a gun for photographically .recordingthe firing of the-gun with reference to a target or objective on which the gun is trained, the-retarded action switch effecting "operation of the camera for a predetermined interval after a common manualrphotographing and firing control has been actuated to non-photographing ln-firing position, 50 that .the traieetorrK of a projectile fired bygthegunf-taking place-aftenthe manual photographing v.andiiring control r`has been .actuated to vnon?photographingnon-nring position, is k,photographically xrecorded by the camera.

Objects of the invention. reside in thevprovision of .a novel, effectiveand vreliable retarded.y action electric switch, vwhich isparticularly adapted `for the use stated above, which provides y,accurate timing of the delayed actionVwhichprovides for accurate andi convenient adjustment ,of .the in- Mterval ofthe delayed action, which providesfor .alternate energization of .two controlled circuits vasior ,alternately energizing a camera motor and aoamera heater for vequalizing the current drain, and a; further object resides in the provision oi vadditionalswitch means connectedin such a manner as yto convenientlyprovide for. alternately placing a controlled circuit inl-.or v,out

lof thev control of the retarded action switch.

In the drawings- `Figure l is an elevational view partially insection of a photographidcamera .control mecha.- nism embodying my invention;

Figure 2 is a.- smilanelevational view with parts broken away;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary elevationalview partially in section and vsimilar to :Figure 1-sho.w .ing the mechanism iin .afdiierent vposition than l:that in which itis shown inFigure 1;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary elevationalviewpartally inA section and similar to `Figure* lfshowing the mechanism in .the .samepositiony asl that in which it is shown in Figure land. havinga part Ipartially broken away andipartially insection;

,and

i 'Figure 8 isa; diagrammatic new: of. the; mech- .anism illustrating the electrical circuits involved therein.

Referring to-the drawings, I designatesa casing'openat the front thereof and provided with a cover,2 closing the front thereof and detachably secured therewith ina usual manner, see particularly Figures 2 and 5, and a mechanism .frame comprising vertically disposed i parallel ffrarneplatesi and 4 secured together by s p acing studs!) is secured on the innerface of the ycoverfZ for enclosure'within the casingr I.

A nVerticallydisposed control bar 6, provided witlna longtudinally extending gear rack 4I, see

AFigures 13 and 5, is mounted for longitudinal reciprocating movement between the frame plates ,3 andgd by means of vertically spaced rotatable .iianged rollers 8 fixed on horizontal shafts 9 extending between and rotatably mounted on the frame plates-and engaging the side of the bar `oppositethat on which the rack 'I is disposed, Yanda rotatable gear pinion II rotatably rmounted Ona horizontal shaft I2 extending between and rotatably mounted on the frame plates. and 4 and meshing with the rack I intermediate the engagements of the rollers with the bar.

A bracket I3 issecured, as designated at I4, onvtl'le'bar 6 andis provided at its lower end with a horizontal upwardly facing abutment porftion I5 extending transversely of the bar, and Va vertically extending tension spring I6 has its .lower end secured to the portionv I5, as designated .at I1, and has its upper end secured,. as

designated at I8, to one ofthe frame studs 5, and

.asso connected this spring yieldably actuates the the bar and armature in one direction, namely, upwardly, .andinto .one terminal position as shown iii-Figures, land 4 when the solenoid is devenergized and so that the solenoid actuates the `armature and with vit the bar `in the other'direction, namely downwardly, into an opposite terminal position .as shown in Figures 3 and 5 against .the influence of the spring when the solenoid is energized. Upward movement of the bar .Sis limited by an upwardly facing stop formation 23o-n thebracket I3 engaging upwardly.again st the lower roller 8.

An escapement timing means comprises a usual rotatable toothed escapement wheel 24 xed on a shaft extending between and rotatably mounted on the frame plates 3 and 4 and a usual vibratory pallet 25, pivotally mounted as designated at 21 on a bracket 23 secured on the frame plate 4, and cooperating in a usual manner with the teeth of the escapement wheel to time the rotation of the wheel-as it is'urged angularly. See Figures 1, 3 and 5.

Transmission means is operative between the bar 6 and the escapement wheel 24 and includesV usual reduction gearing, generally designated at 23, of which the gear pinion II, meshing with the rack 1 of the bar 6, forms a part and constitutes theV low speed terminal gear thereof and of which a gear pinion 3|, secured on the escapement wheel shaft 25 for rotating the same, constitutes the high speed terminal gear thereof, this gearing also including a gear 32 fixed in a usual manner on the shaft I2 on which the gear pinion II is rotatably'mounted.

The said transmission means also includes an automatic one way clutch operative in series with 'the reduction gearing and specifically operative between the relatively rotatable gears II and 32,

land which comprises a helicalclutch spring 33 having one end secured with the gear 32, as designatedrat 34 in Figure 5, and having the helix thereof surrounding and slightly tensioned on a hub 35 of the gear I I, the helix being arranged so that rotation of the gear II in a clockwise direction in Figures 1 and 3 incident to upward movement of the bar 6V under the influence of the spring I5 eifects a driving connection through the gearingZS and clutch resulting in the escapement timing means timingly retarding upward movement of Vthe bar, and so that rotation of the gear II in a counter-clockwise direction incident to downward movement of the barV 6 under the influence of the solenoid I9 when energized is permitted independently of the escapement means resulting in uncontrolled fast downward movement-of the bar.

A single pole double through electric control switch, generally designated at 36, is secured on the '.frameplate 4 and comprises three vertically aseai The movement range of the control bar E is such that i-n lower positions thereof the abutment portion I5 is spaced below the abutment button 42, see Figure 3, and, upward movement of the control bar being retarded by the escapement timing mechanism as hereinbefore described, a predetermined period of time elapses in the upward movement of the'control bar from a given lower position thereof before the abutment portion I5 engages the abutment button 42 and actuates the control blade 38 out of closed circuit relation with the lower switch blade 39 and thereafter actuates the control blade into closed circuit relation with the switch blade 31, the extent of said period being determined by said given or initial lower position of the control bar and being variable by adjustment of said given or initial lower position.

A shaft 43, see Figures 2, 5 and 6, is rotatably mountedron the frame plate 3, as designated at 44, and projects outwardly of the casing cover 2 axially through a relatively large circular opening through the cover, and a manipulating knob 46 is secured on this shaft exteriorly of the cover for manually rotating the shaft. A disk 41, provided with angularly spaced notches 48, and

Aa stop disk 49 have bores thereof, designated'respectively at 5I and 52, engaged on the shaft 43,

spaced horizontal resilient switch blades TI,A 38

and 39) provided withusual contacts 4I and so arranged that in an upper position of the intermediate or control blade 38 contacts 4I of the blades 31 and 38Y are in Vcontact for completing an electric circuit including theseblades, as shown Vin Figures 1 and 4, and that in a lowerlposition of the control blade 38 contacts 4I of the blades y 38 and 35 are in contact for completing another electric circuit including these blades, as shown in VFigure V3, these circuits being thus alternately closed with opposite vertical positioning of the lcontrol blade 38.

1 ment button 42 which @verlies the abutment portion I5 of the bracket I3 secured to and verticallyV movable with the control bar 6, the arrange- Yment being such that when thebar S is actuated to its upperVV position by the spring I6, as shown in Figure 4, the portion I5 upwardly engages the button 42 and positions the control blade 38 in closed circuit relation with the upper switch blade 31, the yieldable urge of the spring I 6 being stronger than that of the control blade,

and a crank pin structure, xed with the shaft and generally designated at 53, engages the knob 46, the disk 41 and the stop disk 43 and secures the same in angularly xed relation on the shaft. The stop disk is provided-with a peripheral cam-like formation comprising a series of stop portions 54, as best shown in Figure '1, which are graduated or stepped radially of this disk to provide an adjustable upwardly facing stop structure. The bracket I3, secured on and vertically movable with the control bar 6 as hereinbefore described, is provided with a forwardly projecting downwardly facing stop formation 55 which is engagealble downwardly on the stop disk to stop 0r limit downward movement of the control bar E, see particularly Figure 5, angular adjustment of the stop disk presenting diiferently disposed stop portions 54Y to the stop formation 55 and thus adjustably predeterminately xing the lower position of the con-v trol Ybar or the amount of lost motion afforded betweenr the control bar 6 and the control blade 38 of the electric control switch by the one way abutment connection comprising the abutment portion I5 and the abutment button 42.r Figure 7 discloses in full lines the position of the stop disk in which the outermost of the stop portionsV 54 is in functioning position, and discloses in dot and dash linesV the position of the stop disk in which the innermost of the stop formations 54 is in functioning position. f

Accordingly; upward movement of the control bar 6 being retarded by 4the escapement timing mechanism, angular adjustment of the stop disk predeterminately adjusts the period of time from the initiation of upward movement of the control Abar until the control blade 38 is moved out (33g closed circuit relation with the switchblade A pawl 56, see Figure 2, is pivotally mounted on the frame plate 3, asrdesignated at 51, and is yieldably urged by a torsionispring` 58 into engagement with the notches 48 of the disk .41 for retaining the stop disk 49 in selected angular positions, and an index scale 59 on the outer face of the cover 2, see Figure 2, cooperates with an index pointer 6I on the manipulating knob 4G, see Fig- -supply'switch66, and aconductor t1 is connected withthe'other terminal of this switch and divides Aintotwo `branch conductors `v($8 and 69 of which the iiconductor i68 isconnected to :one terminal of the solenoid I9, and of which the conductor leads tothe camera 63 and is connected to one terminal of -a solenoid 1I carried with the camera and has branch conductors 12 and 13 connecting it -respectively with one terminal of an electric camera mechanism driving motor mand with one terminal of an `electric heater 15 associated .with

the camera for heating the same.

A Vconductor 16 connects the other pole cf the battery with one terminal of a primary control switch 1-1 and has a branch conductor 18 connecting it with the control blade 38 of the double pole double throw switch 36 hereinabove described. A conductor 19 connects the upper switch blade of this switch with `the other terminal of the heater 15,and a conductor 8| connects lthe lower switchblade 39 of .this switch with one stationary contact 18.2 of a single pole double throw change over switch 83. A conductor 8d connects the movable contact member 85 of the switch S3 with the other terminal of the camera motor i4. A conductor 85 connects the other terminal of the primary'control switch 11 with the other terminal of the camera carried solenoid 1 I, and has branch conductors 31 and 88 connecting it respectively with the other stationary contact SS of the switch 83 and with the other terminal of the solenoid I9.

,Still referring to `Figure 8, the camera, indi- .cated at 63, includes an exposure aperture 9| acrossk which a sensitized sequential exposure framephotographic element 92, such as a motion picture lm strip, is intermittently moved by the camera mechanism, not shown, as driven by the camera motor 14, for the progressive exposure of the sequential picture frames 93 of the photographic elements as is usual in cameras of the above mentioned type.

-A recording element 94 is pivotally mounted, -as indicated at 95 with reference to the camera and the exposure aperture or station 9| of the camera, for movement with reference to the film kstrip to position a recording portion 96 of the recording element into and out of the area of the exposure aperture or station to provide by exposure lof the lm strip at the exposure station different photographic recording effects on the lm strip, the recording portion 99 being shown in Figure 8 -as projecting into the area of the exposure aperture 9I for photographically recording its image on each exposure frame of the film strip as it is exposed at the exposure aperture 9| and being movable out of the area of `the exposure aperture 9| for not recording its image on the successively exposed exposure frames of the iilm strip to provide different recording effects on the iilm strip as an incident -of fthe lm rstripsfprogressive exposure in the camera.

kThe recordingelement 94 lis yieldably actuated into image exposing position, as shown in .Figure 8, .by Va tension spring '9.1, and a 'reciprocable armature '98 of magnetic material is disposed unfder the control of the solenoid 1I .and is connected, Aas designated at '99, with the 'recording element '94 to `move the recording element out of 'image effecting position against the iniluence lof ther, of which this switch 'and these 'conductors form a part, vthis additional vcontrol circuit being operative to control, jointly with the control 'by this switch of the camera .related devices vas rhereinafter explained, an instrumentality separate from the camera such as a vgun of the repeating type.

Assuming the current supply switch -66 to bein closed circuit position, the primary control vswitch 11, being 'included in the circuits of the solenoids I'S and 1I and the circuit of which the conductors IUI and '|162 form a part, is operative to simultaneously alternately lenergize and de-energize these circuits.

Assuming the movable contact member 85 of the change over switch 83 to be positioned in closed circuit relation with the stationary contact 82, and in open circuit relation with the stationary Contact 89, the switch 11, through the medium of the-control switch '36 as controlled by the solenoid I9 as hereinbefore described, controls the alternate energization of the camera motor 14 and heater. 15.

Accordingly, when the primary control switch 11 is in open circuit position, as shown in Figure the results are that-the solenoids I9 and 1I being thus de-energized-the camera motor 14 is de-energized so that the camera mechanism is inoperative to photograph and the camera heater 15 is energized to heat the camera while the camera is inoperativev to photograph by reason ofthe control blade 38 of the switch 36 being in open circuit relation with the switch blade 39 and in vclosed circuit relation with the switch blade 31; that the recording portion 96 of the recording element 94 is in exposing position; and that the gun control circuit, of which the conductors IUI and |92 form a part, is (ie-energized or is in non-firing condition. In this condition of the control mechanism the control bar 6 is'at the upper end of its movement as shown in Figures 1 and 4.

Conversely, when the primary 'control switch 11 is in closed circuit position, the results are that-the solenoids I9 and 1I being thus energized-the camera motor 14 is energized so that the camera mechanism is operative to photograph and the camera heater 15 is de-energized to cut off the current from the heater for -the purpose of eliminating'the current drain of the heater during operation of the camera by reai son of the control blade 38 of the controlswitch` being in vclosed circuit relation with the'switch blade39 and in open circuit relation with the switch blade 31; that the recording portion 96 of the recording element 94 is in non-exposing position; and that theV gun control circuit, of which the conductors l9| and |92 form a part, is energized or is in firing condition. In this condition of the control mechanism, the control 'bar 6 is ata lower position of its movement as shown in Figure 3, such lower position being adjustable by angular positioning of the stop disk 49 as hereinbefore described. Y

, Recalling that the one way abutment connection between the control bar 6 and the control blade 38 of the switch 36, exemplified by the abutment portion l and the abutment button 42, affords lost motion between the control bar and the control blade with respect to upward movement of the control bar in a lower range of movement of the control bar, which range is adjustably limited by the'stop disk 49, the control blade 38 remains in camera motor energizing position throughout this range of movement of the control bar and the control bar is accordingly movable into, within and out of a camera operation range of movement.

Y. VRecalling also that the escapement timing means, hereinbefore described, is operative to retard movement of the control bar 6 throughout its upward movement including movement of the control bar within and in the direction out of the camera operation range thereof and that the escapement means accordingly retards movement of the switch blade 38 of the switch 36 out of closed circuit or camera operating relation with the switch blade 39. it follows that operation of the camera is continued for a period of time, predeterminately adjustable by the stop disk 49, after the primary control switch ll is moved from closed circuit (photographing and firing) position toopen circuit (non-photographing non-liring) position so that operation of the camera to photograph continues for a period of time after firing of the gun has ceased, that is to say, the camera -operation overruns that of the gun, so that the trajectory of a projectile nred by the gun, taking place after the primary control switch has been actuated into non-photographing non-firing po- .sition, is photographically recorded by the cam- `era, this overrun operation of the camera occurring automatically or without requiring the attention of the operator. v

It will be observed that, the recording element 94 as controlled by the primary control switch 'Il through the medium of the solenoid 'Il is actuated instantaneously into its opposite exposing and non-exposing positions respectively with actuation of the switch 'Il into its opposite closed circiut and open circuit positions. As a result the recording element automatically produces contrasting recording effects on the film strip 92 directly related with the positioning of the switch 11. Accordingly, the, normal and overrun operation -periods of the camera are indicated on the lm, so that, when the film strip is developed and projected, these periods areindicated.

As applied to aircraft, the Vprimary control switch Il may be carried on the aircraft control or stick for convenience to the pilot and so may be termed the stick switch.

As above indicated, the overrun operation of the camera is effective when the movable contact member 85 of the change over switch 83 is positioned in closed circuit relation with the stationary contact 82 and in open circuit relation `withthe stationary contact 89. When lit is ,de-

sired to eliminate the overrun operation lof the' camera, the movable contact member 85.0f the` switch 83 is positioned in closed circuit' relation with the stationary contact 89 and in open circuit relation with the stationary contact 82, with the result that the camera motor circuit includes the primary control switch l'l for direct control thereby and that the switch blade 39 is cut out of the motor circuit, the control bar 6V being still actuated as before, but only being effective to open and close the camera heater circuit.

While I have thus described my invention,.I do not wish to be limited to the precise details described, as changes may be readily made without departing from the spirit of my invention, but

having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent the following:

1. In a circuit control device, the combination of a reciprocable control member yieldably urged in one direction of its movement, ,an electricV direction of movement thereof, stop means operative to limit the range of movement of said control member, escapement timing means, and an automatic one way clutch operative to retard by said escapement means movement 0f said control member in its said yieldably urged direction.

2. In a circuit control device, the combination of a reciprocable control member provided with a gear rack extending longitudinally of the movement thereof and yieldably urged in one direction of its movement, an electric switch yieldably urged into one of its circuit control positions, a one way abutment connection operative between said control member and said switch to actuate said switch out of said circuit control position with actuation of said control member under its yieldable urge in its said direction and providing a Yrange of movement of said control member with said switch remaining in said circuit control position, a selectively energizable electromagnetic device operative on said control member to'actuate the same in the other direction of movement thereof, stop means operative to limit the range of movement of saidcontrol member, escapement timing means, and transmission means operative between said control member and said escapement means comprising a revoluble gear meshing with said rackand an automatic one wai7 clutchoperative in series with said gear to retard by said escapement means movement of said control member in its said yieldablyurged direction.

said direction and providing a range of movement of said control bar with said switch remaining in said circuit control position, a selectively energizable electromagnetic device having its armature reciprocable correspondingly with said control barv and connected therewith for actuating the same in the other direction of movement thereof, stop means operative to limit the range of movement of said control bar, escapement timing means, and transmission means operative between said control bar and said escapement means comprising a revoluble gear meshing with said rack and an automatic one way clutch operative in series with said gear to retard by said escapement means movement of said control bar in its said yieldably urged direction.

4. In a circuit control device, the combination as recited in claim 1 and further characterized in that said stop means includes an adjustable stop member operative to adjustably limit movement of said control member in said other direction of movement thereof.

5. In a circuit control device, the combination of a reciprocable control member yieldably urged in one direction of its movement, a double throw electric switch yieldably urged into a first of its closed circuit positions, a one way abutment connection operative7 between said control member and said switch to actuate said switch into the second of its closed circuit positions with actuation of said control member under its yieldable urge in its said direction and providing a range of movement of said control member with said switch remaining in said rst closed circuit position, a selectively energizable electromagnetic device operative on said control member to actuate the same in the other direction of movement thereof, stop means operative to limit the range of movement of said control member, and timing means operative on said control member to retard movement thereof in said first mentioned direction thereof.

6. In a circuit control device, the combination of a reciprocable control member yieldably urged in one direction of its movement, an electric switch yieldably urged into closed circuit position, a oneway abutment connection operative between said control member and said switch to actuate said switch out of closed circuit position with actuation of said control member under its yieldable urge in its said direction and providing a range of movement of said control member with said switch remaining in closed circuit position, an electromagnetic device operative on said com trol member to actuate the same in the other direction of movement thereof, stop means operative to limit the range of movement of said control member, timing means operative on said control member to retard movement thereof in said rst mentioned direction thereof, a second electric switch in circuit with said electromagnetic device for selectively energizing the same, and a double throw third electric switch forming part of a controlled circuit and operative to alternately connect said rst and second switches in said controlled circuit.

CHARLES E. PHILLIMORE. 

